Energy

The International Year of Cooperatives comes at a very exciting and interesting time. Political and economic changes are lining up to call attention to the need for co-ops, complementing the United Nation’s selection of co-ops as its theme for 2012. The UN probably didn’t envision the year leading up to the International Year of Cooperatives as one of continued financial turmoil and growing political unrest from the Arab Spring to Occupy Wall Street. But here we are.

Small, independent businesses anchor local communities, generate jobs, support economic development and keep wealth local. As community supported, member-owned businesses, cooperatives offer communities a sustainable solution to the economic crisis. Today, the US Congress took a step toward economically empowering Americans and strengthening communities with the introduction of H.R. 3677, the National Cooperative Development Act. Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-Penn.) and three ...

Inspired by Occupy Wall Street activists, Carlo Voli took to a downtown Edmonds roof earlier this month to draw attention to the progress the city's solar cooperative has made in the past year and what ground still needs to be covered. Voli, an Edmonds resident and a member of the Edmonds Community Solar Cooperative, occupied the roof of the Fabric of Life boutique, 523 Main St., from Dec. 9 to Dec. 11. "Cooperative solar energy initiatives bring communities together," Voli said. "They also ...

A price war in the energy market could be on the cards after Co-operative Energy announced it is to lower its prices next year. The ethical gas and electricity provider, which has attracted more than 16,000 customers since its launch in May 2011, is to reduce its gas and electricity charges for most customers by an average of 3% from 1 February 2012. The move will save the average household around £35 per year. The newest supplier to the market said the move had been driven by its pledge to ...

Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Congressional leader for the national cooperative movement, especially urban co-ops, today introduced the National Cooperative Development Act. "It's high time for Cooperatives -- a great idea that has emerged from and gained success in our urban neighborhoods as well as rural communities – to move onto the national radar," said Fattah, whose Philadelphia district includes numerous thriving co-ops. "This legislation brings federal resources and a policy ...

The extensive emissions controls required for coal-based generating units under Environmental Protection Agency rulemakings entail significant challenges for utilities, and electric cooperatives in particular, NRECA cautioned federal regulators. EPA’s proposed Electric Utility Generating Unit Hazardous Air Pollution Rule, combined with its final Cross State Air Pollution Rule, “pose serious implications for electric reliability and/or affordable wholesale power,” the association ...

What makes the cooperative financial model different? How is it an alternative to the prevailing business model? These questions are central to the 2012 Summit program. One of the objectives of the 2012 International Summit of Cooperatives is to discuss the current and future business issues of cooperatives and mutuals, and define initiatives that will promote their sustainable prosperity and that of their communities. One of the objectives of the 2012 International Summit of Cooperatives is to ...

Dairyland Power Cooperative will stop using three aging coal-burning units at its plant in Alma, Wis., the La Crosse-based utility announced Tuesday. The decision will eliminate 12 jobs. Eight will likely be relocated to open positions within the cooperative, said spokeswoman Katie Thomson, while the remaining four will likely be laid off. The decision to stop using the coal-burning units stemmed from a review of regulatory requirements and maintenance costs, among other considerations, ...